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Most Grand Rapids schools' students comply with uniform policy

Stacey Johnson of Grand Rapids gives a kiss to her son, Aiden Cull, 4, on his first day of Kindergarten at Stocking Elementary on Tuesday, September 3, 2013. The school has reopened after closing in 2010.
(Emily Zoladz | Mlive.com)

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Ninety-five percent of Grand Rapids students who reported for the first day of school, Tuesday, Sept. 3, were in compliance with the new district-wide uniform policy, according Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal.

"That's just an unbelievable percentage," she said. "I think we've done a great job bringing the community along with us. Even if people didn't agree, they know that we want what is best for the children, so the parents are to be commended."

This year all elementary and K-8 school students are required to wear the collared shirts - one of six colors - khakis or navy pants, shorts, dresses and skirts. The middle and high schools will be phased in over the next two years.

Neal said the small percentage not in compliance would be receiving a letter, per her three strikes and you're suspended rule. She said principals are already having "quiet conversations" with parents to determine if it's a financial issue or some other reason.

Jessica Denton, had her son Ian, 9, in a light blue shirt and khakis, as he marched into Stocking Elementary, located at 863 7th St. NW.

Ninety percent of Stocking's approximately 270 students wore their uniforms.

"I understand why they have the policy," said Denton, as she snapped photos of Ian for his grandmother.

Neal said the goal is to focus on achievement by eliminating distractions and stopping students from being teased for the type of clothes they wear.

But Bethany Sleet, another Stocking parent, opposes the policy.

"They should be able to wear what they want to wear," said Sleet, who has 10-year old twin girls at the school. "Give kids choices."

If people weren't talking about uniforms in the district, they were discussing the closing and consolidation of schools this spring that had students in every quadrant of the city on the move to new buildings.

The most notable relocation was that of Creston High School students. The district closed the Northeast Side school, moving students to the new Innovation Central High School campus, 421 Fountain St. NE, so they could still graduate together.

City High-Middle School and the Center for Economicology now occupy the Creston building, located at 1720 Plainfield Ave. NE.

Destiny May, 15, now a sophomore, said she misses being at Creston but is happy to still be with many of her classmates.

"I was ready to come back because I like school and missed my friends," said May, who is enrolled in the School of Health Sciences, one of six career-driven public-partnerships on Innovation Central's campus.

May said she likes that Neal is cracking down on attendance because she thinks it will improve graduation rates but isn't so thrilled about the uniform policy.